5 Best Oyster Sauce That You Should Grab In The Market!
Before you ask yourself where to buy oyster sauce, it is pretty essential that you know what to pick first. Specifically, not all oyster sauce are created the same. Some have exceptional compositions, while others can be considered run-of-the-mill.
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At this point, it is quite proper for a cooking enthusiast to know the best oyster sauce. Many delicacies can benefit from simply having an exceptional variant or brand of oyster sauce. If you are into Chinese delicacies, you really know what I am talking about. But even simple ingredients like chicken, beef, and your standard veggies and noodles are enlivened with this sauce is added.
In this post, I will reveal some of the finest oyster sauce that I have ever encountered. You might want to check them out and see which one should be able to fit the preferences of your taste palettes.
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The Best Oyster Sauce In The Market
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In today's market, the Maekrua Thai Oyster Sauce has been sizzling with everything that is amazing! Many consider the brand to be one of the best manufacturers of oyster sauce, and I can't disagree on that. The oyster sauce they make are taken from genuine oyster extracts and not some imitations that only used food colorings and flavorings. Specifically, the flavor of this Thai oyster sauce is extremely salty. Meanwhile, it features a silky but dense texture and brims with a beautiful brown hue.
It is a great idea to use the Maekrua Thai Oyster Sauce in stir-frying vegetables and noodles. I do suggest that you try using the sauce to enhance the flavors of rapini, Brussel sprouts, broccoli, and other Chinese ingredients. By doing so, you'll experience the instantaneous wonders that this oyster sauce can bring to the food.
In fact, I can say that various Asian cuisines can benefit from the Maekrua Thai Oyster Sauce. Because it is so great, the sauce was a recipient of Thailand's Shell Shuan Shim award, which is practically a similar to Michelin Stars.
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If there's one thing that I am confident about the Wok Mei Gluten Free Oyster Sauce, that is its cleanliness.
You see, this product has no junk. All of the ingredients are all-natural and organic. It is free from additives, which makes it a great choice for those who want to deal with ingredients that are stained with suspicious chemicals. It doesn't have sodium benzoate and gluten, too.
Moreover, it used dried sugarcane sugar rather than the refined ones. Alongside with its pureness, the flavor of the Wok Mei Oyster Sauce contains the traditional luscious flavor of oyster sauce.
Specifically, the Wok Mei Gluten Free Oyster Sauce is manufactured to complement various Chinese delicacies. If you are fond of making Chinese noodle and veggie recipes, you should try including this oyster sauce. The savory flavor and texture of the Wok Mei Oyster Sauce also brim in various meat delicacies, especially on chicken and poultry products. It is perfect for stir-frying and other cooking applications that would imbue the dish with rich and dark undertones!
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For those who are dreaming of extremely delectable Asian dishes, getting the Wan Ja Shan Vegetarian Mushroom Oyster Sauce is extremely pivotal. This oyster sauce has been made from the high-quality blend of different natural ingredients such as wheat, mushrooms, soybeans, and wheat. The sugar and salt used on its mixture are both free from chemicals, too.
I have used this specific oyster sauce on various Chinese recipes that require stir-frying. Of course, it never failed me. When mixed, it enhances the aroma and taste of every meat, vegetables, and tofu. It has a gentle yet overpowering presence on the dish, which is something that I want for my dishes.
The Wan Ja Shan Vegetarian Mushroom Oyster Sauce can also be used as a marinade and sauce. Right from the get-go, this seasoning is definitely versatile.
Furthermore, the velvet texture of this oyster sauced enabled it to stand-out in the market. It is rich and full, but it remains smooth. You can also appreciate its vibrant brownish color, which perfectly emulates the traditional appearance of oyster sauce.
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One of the best oyster sauce brands out there is the Lee Kum Kee Panda Oyster Sauce. It has been manufactured in Hong Kong, which guarantees that its composition, flavor, and fragrance are definitely genuine and free from any flaws.
The extracts of this sauce came directly from the finest cultured oysters. It underwent an intensive refining process to ensure that unwanted odors and elements are filtered out. The resulting product is a smooth and savory oyster sauce that suits various culinary platters. Many Chinese restaurants today are using this particular brand of oyster sauce. But even in other regional menus, this sauce remains to be a great addition.
If you deem that your veggies, noodles, or meat have a bland taste, mix this oyster sauce. By that time, you will find the upliftment of their flavor with guaranteed palpability. As an all-purpose seasoning, it is quite remarkable that the Lee Kum Kee Panda Oyster Sauce has all that it takes to make your dishes to be filled with deliciousness.
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Whether you want to create delectable Chinese, Thai, or Vietnamese dish, it pays that you have a great oyster sauce like the Kikkoman. It is considered as one of the most exceptional variants of oyster sauce because of its original flavor and fragrance. It is thick but didn't have any sticky texture, making it perfect for other recipes like salads and sandwiches.
Of course, the quality of this oyster sauce is directly derived from natural liquor taken from fresh oysters. The sauce is savory and features a subtle balance between saltiness and sweetness. Just like I said, it has a noticeable thickness, which adds to its natural sheen. When mixed with food, the Kikkoman Oyster Sauce does not only improve the flavor; it also enhances of overall appearance and presentation.
Needless to say, there are no fishy or pungent flavors that you can detect from this oyster sauce. It is not similar to other brands of oyster sauce that release some funny smell. Therefore, it is an excellent seasoning for recipes that require neutrality on their fragrance.
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What Is Oyster Sauce?
There are a lot of curious questions that revolve around the oyster sauce. What's in oyster sauce? Does oyster sauce have oysters in it?
While all of these questions are seemingly superficial, the truth is, only a few people can get the answers to these questions correct.
Physically, you can describe an oyster sauce as a type of thick sauce that comes with an earthy flavor. It has a mixture of sweetness and saltiness balancing each other. It is indeed popular in various Chinese recipes, but you can also find it being used in Thai, Vietnamese, and other Asian delicacies.
Because it is filled with umami, the oyster sauce can give any recipe with additional punch and savoriness.
So why it has been named as oyster sauce? Does the oyster sauce contain some oysters? Well, technically, the answer is yet.
The procedure of making the traditional oyster sauce is by simmering oysters slowly their juices will caramelize. The resulting product is thick but no dense, flavorful sauce. Typically, the color of the juice is brown. You can say that the oyster sauce is authentic if it has been made through this specific process.
Today, there are oyster sauce that are commercially produced but doesn't contain oyster. They are made by using sugar and salt as the base and will be mixed with cornstarch so that it will thicken. After that, oyster extracts will be added in the blend so that it can replicate the original flavor of the traditional oyster sauce. Furthermore, there are other additives that can be included, too, such as MSG and soy sauce.
What Does Oyster Sauce Taste Like?
Just like I said, the oyster sauce has a flavor that has a perfect harmony of sweetness and saltiness. It is rich and full of earthy undertones, making it great for stir-frying or other cooking techniques that enhance the overall appeal of the food. The presence of the oyster extracts is directly responsible for putting an extra layer of enhancement.
Of course, one should know that not all oyster sauce has the same quality. The artificial ones only used flavoring. Aside from having an awkward taste, these low-quality variants of oyster sauce are not capable of improving the food that you are cooking. In short, it is a waste to use them. That's the very reason why I only recommend the best oyster sauce here and nothing else.
Substitute For Oyster Sauce
Once you enter the realm of Asian recipes, you'll realize that sauces are necessary. You can't take them off from your list--especially if you are preparing Chinese cuisine. Fortunately, it can always be substituted with other seasonings and ingredients that can match its flavor and effects.
Of course, you cannot prepare a recipe without the essential ingredients on it. If the oyster sauce is needed, then it should be present at all cost. Otherwise, your efforts will be pointless, and you will not achieve anything delectable at all.
If the oyster sauce is temporarily absent in your kitchen, then the following replacements should be able to take its place.
Best Oyster Sauce Brands
If you are among those people who have preferences over brands, then you might find this section helpful. As apparent as it is, there are some manufacturers out there that are notable for the quality of oyster sauce they produce.
Lee Kum Kee is one of them. It is a Hong Kong-based company that specializes in creating oyster sauces and other sauces for Chinese and Asian delicacies. Maekrua Brand is another great option, too. The oyster sauce that it makes came from Thailand. The company follows the traditional and safe methods in manufacturing oyster sauces.
Meanwhile, Kikkoman Corporation is a known food manufacturer based in Japan. Most of its products are sauces, food seasonings, and food flavorings. The oyster sauce of Kikkoman is notably brimming with authenticity, as it replicates the actual taste of the traditional oyster sauce. You can also try Dragonfly and Wok Mei because they are popular makers of Chinese sauce and other condiments.
Conclusion
Sure enough, it is easy to see that a myriad of Asian delicacies out there needs the service of the best oyster sauce. The latter can prevent various stir-fried dishes from being bland and lackluster. An extra savoriness can make the difference between a sumptuous meal from a forgettable and regrettable one. With the proper use of this sauce, you will be able to make impressive and restaurant-class recipes in your home!
Of course, the key here is still choosing an oyster sauce with the highest quality. I cannot emphasize the importance of this enough, but you have to make sure that you get the finest brands of oyster sauce only. The ones I featured here are among the trusted options that you have. You should check them out!
I hope you learned from this guide. If you have questions, feel free to drop them in the comment section below.
